Summary: The store opens

A/N: Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 9

Hermione bounced up and down on her toes as she eyed the clock.

"You are going to jump out of your skin if you don't sit still," Severus chided.

"I'm just excited," she said as she continued to bounce.

"We have five minutes. I guess you could open early if you want."

Hermione gave a huff. "No, I can wait," she said.

Severus went over to her and kissed her. "You will be a smashing success."

She smiled at him. "We will, but do you really think so?"

"Absolutely. This is something that this small town needs." He shrugged. "There's nothing else to do."

She slapped his arm and gave him a sly look. "You, sir, are terrible."

"Guilty as charged," he admitted with his hand on his chest.

Hermione turned, and her hand shot back to Severus' arm.

"Look!" she said in awe.

Severus turned his head toward the door seeing an older woman standing nearby.

"See, they're lining up already," he told her.

He smiled at her as her excitement bubbled over. Looking at the clock above the door, he turned back to her.

"It's time."

Hermione took a fortifying breath and walked over to the door. She unlocked it and opened it for the patron waiting.

"Welcome to Magnum Opus," she said as she stepped aside for the woman to enter the store.

"Oh, I'm so excited for this store. It will be so nice to look through everything!"

"Please take your time," Hermione said with a flourish of her hand toward the bookshelves.

And so their day started. There were a steady number of customers who came in. Many of them were very interested in Severus' potions.

"Essential Elixirs…" a middle-aged gentleman said as he lifted one of the curvy bottles. He looked up at Severus, who was nearby. "Does this really work?"

"Of course," Severus said. "This one will restore hair, and these others will help with a variety of skin and hair needs. Those over there are health remedies." He pointed to the back corner of the display.

"Do you have something for…" the man looked embarrassed.

He leaned in and whispered something in Severus' ear. Severus' eyebrows rose.

"I have just the thing," he said.

Walking to the other end of the display, he reached into a small cabinet above the back of the display, he pulled out a blue potion in a corkscrew shaped bottle.

"I believe this will help you out. Two drops in any liquid. It should help you within ten minutes."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Snape. I know of your prowess with potions. I appreciate your help!"

Severus looked at the man with surprise. He hadn't realized he'd been recognized. Surprisingly, that and his name on the bottle hadn't deterred this customer in the least.

oooOOOooo

Hermione closed and locked the door behind the last patron. She leaned against it and gave Severus a huge smile.

"That was amazing, wasn't it?"

"Yes, much better than I would have imagined."

Hermione took a deep breath. "Well, it's the first day. We're a novelty. I'd imagine it will slow down a bit as the days go by."

Severus came up to her and pulled her to him. Hugging her, he kissed her cheek.

"You were a lovely shopkeep, my dear."

"So were you!" Hermione cried as she pulled back. "You were very patient with everyone, and I saw how many people were interested in your potions. You know what? Not one of them scowled when they saw who had created such useful things."

"I'm thoroughly shocked. I expected to be yelled at and my bottles thrown at me."

Hermione chuckled. "You have to start trusting society a little. Everyone knows you're a hero, Severus."

Severus snorted. "Not everyone. Definitely not everyone."

"Well," Hermione said with a tilt of her head. "Most people, then."

"You are entirely too trusting," Severus told her.

She smiled then. "Maybe, but I usually wait for someone to disappoint me instead of expecting it. It makes life a lot more positive."

"Hmm," Severus mulled. "I suppose you have a point, but it's just easier to not trust anyone until they prove themselves."

She leaned in and kissed him. Pulling away, she tipped his nose with her finger. "You don't have to live like that anymore, Severus. You're not a spy, and you can live a normal life… and maybe wait for someone to disappoint you before you're disappointed in them."

"Perhaps," he admitted.

He stared at her for a while. "I will try. This is very new to me."

"Of course it is," Hermione agreed. "And I appreciate you wanting to try."

He kissed her again. "Come on. Let's get out of here. I could eat a mess of fish and chips."

"Yum, sounds divine."

They exited the store and soon were gone in search of sustenance. Seeing that there was only one place to eat–the pub two doors down–they didn't have to search long. Before they knew it, they were sitting at a table near the back with huge plates of fish and chips and mugs of Butterbeer. Hermione took a bite, her eyes growing wide at how delicious the fish was.

"Hmm, this is delicious. I'm glad there's a great option for eating out here."

"Yes, and the menu is pretty extensive. We could probably eat here for two weeks straight and not repeat a meal," Severus agreed.

They were quiet for a few minutes as they enjoyed their dinner. Severus chewed and looked over at Hermione.

"So, did everything go as you had hoped?" he asked.

Hermione blushed. "I think it was even better. I enjoyed interacting with the customers."

"Hmm, I am surprised to find that I didn't hate that aspect."

Hermione chuckled. "Yes, you surprised everyone, including me."

"I find that if I'm not worried that someone will explode a cauldron or hex a person to death, I am not so nasty."

"I'll keep that in mind."

She took a sip of her Butterbeer.

"I'm sure things will die down. I think everyone in town stopped by today," Hermione said.

Severus nodded. "Maybe we should have some book signings in the future to help bring people in."

"That's a really good idea. It will keep the store relevant. The newly released publications in the window and front of the store along with some book signings will help bring in customers on a regular basis."

She thought for a moment as she chewed on a chip.

"We should have a potion of the month, too. We can have a sign in the window and make that the main part of the display."

"Maybe give a discount on that item?"

"Yes!" she said as she pointed at Severus with excitement.

Severus found her enthusiasm endearing. He also was touched that she was including him in their advertising campaign. Yes, his part of the business being successful was important to both of them, but just the fact that she went out of her way to include him in planning made his heart swell with affection for her.

"Thank you," he said finally.

She gave him a quizzical look and a slight shake of her head.

"For being willing to do this with me. It's your baby. I'm honored that you will share it with me."

Hermione reached out and beckoned for Severus' hand. She squeezed it when he placed it in hers.

"This is our business. We do everything together. I want us to make every decision in tandem. You are an integral part of this shop, Severus Snape."

Severus waved his wand, casting a Notice-Me-Not spell and rose from his seat. Leaning down, he kissed Hermione lovingly.

"Few people have put their trust in me the way you have. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that."

Hermione caressed his cheek. "I care about you, Severus. I respect you and know you are brilliant. You will be an amazing partner, and I'm happy to work with you."

Leaning back in, Severus kissed her passionately. Her mouth opened to him, and he entered, showering her with his affection. They were there for a while before he pulled away and sat back down, canceling the spell that had kept their movements private. Hermione smiled at him.

"I'm excited to see where this goes, Severus."

"Are you talking about the shop, or us?"

She shrugged with a smile. "Both."

He smirked right back at her.